Apley's Concise System of Orthopaedics and Fractures (3rd edn)

Abstract

Apley is orthopaedics – or should it be orthopaedics is Apley? Whichever way round you read it, the orthopaedic world would not be complete without an Apley orthopaedic volume on the market. Apley's original System of Orthopaedics and Fractures (now in its 8th edition) was originally borne out of the famous FRCS course at Pyrford in 1954 and Louis Solomon collaborated with Alan Apley in the later editions. The Concise System of Orthopaedics and Fractures was conceived 10 years ago and this book is the third edition to appear. Unfortunately, Alan Apley is no longer with us but Louis Solomon and his coauthors have carried on the Apley style to retain all that is good about this book. The original concise edition was aimed at advanced medical undergraduates, newly qualified doctors and surgeons in training. The authors have also found interest in the book from trainees in other surgical specialties, from experienced general practitioners and from physiotherapists and occupational therapists as well as practising orthopaedic consultants and teachers wanting a short, up-to-date review of an orthopaedic subject with which they are already familiar. I fall into this final category and this volume fits the bill exactly. The book covers common orthopaedic conditions encountered in orthopaedic practice, not only in this country but in less developed areas of the world and this broadens its appeal. The layout of previous editions is maintained, with three main sections on general orthopaedics, regional orthopaedics, and fractures and joint injuries. The text has been updated to include modern operative techniques but has kept a general overview of disease, thus maintaining its relevance for a wider paramedical audience. With books on specialist subjects becoming ever more onerous, it is a pleasure to have a book that is easy to read, concise and clear, thereby aiding knowledge retention. Apley said that a good picture with a story is worth a thousand words and the illustrations here have been modernised with liberal use of colour where appropriate. Those of us who are established in orthopaedics and are familiar with the book will eagerly open a new edition to see what extra information is contained within and which old friends have been retained to jog the memory or stimulate an anecdote. However, Apley's Concise System of Orthopaedics and Fractures is primarily for the young, enquiring mind and would be particularly useful in the revision situation. If you are preparing for the MRCS examination, I can think of no good reason why this book should not be on your shelf. In fact, if more candidates were familiar with Apley's famous advice (‘Look, feel, move, X-ray’), the life of the examiner would be a great deal easier!